BY THE REV. K. F. WHEELER, M.A. 345 



December.- 



Acklam, near Middlesbro'. — Large flocks of red-wings, field- 

 fares, blackbirds, sparrows, and wood pigeons were seen, drawn 

 hither in search of food. The severe weather made great havoc 

 amongst them. 



Wolsingham. — It may be worthy of remark to notice the ap- 

 pearance of so rare and fine an insect as Deilephila galii, the 

 bedstraw hawk moth. It occurred at Wolsingham during the 

 first week in August. I captured four specimens, and saw 

 others. It appears from the records in the "Entomologist" to 

 have occurred simultaneously in most of the English counties. 

 The caterpillars of the death's-head hawk moth were found in 

 this neighbourhood this autumn. I had seven larva? from which 

 I reared five imagos in the first week in October. — A. Mitchell. 



Brinkburn, Darlington. — The golden-crested wren was scarce 

 throughout the winter, and was not seen in summer. 



On the 22nd of November a flock of the long-tailed titmouse 

 passed over Darlington. 



Seaham. — Wasps were rarely seen in 1870 — not one nest was 

 found. Hive bees have been productive ; but dry warm seasons 

 suit them well in this neighbourhood. 



Two new species of ants were discovered by Mr. Draper, who 

 sent them to the Club's old friend Mr. Bold. They were also 

 submitted by him to the authorities at the British Museum, who 

 could not identify them with any known species. One is com- 

 mon in the hot houses at Seaham, and is of a red or sandy 

 colour, thick in proportion to its length, and slow in its motions. 

 The other species is from "The Barns," near Sunderland, and 

 is a very destructive and lively little fellow, making a meal out 

 of anything which comes in its way. It is supposed that they 

 have been imported with some foreign plants. 



The cabbage fly, a species of aphis, has been very destructive 

 to all the brassica tribe of plants. Whole fields of turnips were 

 destroyed. The farmers agree in thinking that in their experi- 

 ence they never knew such swarms. 



